What makes Frensham
so special?
Bronze
axe head
The first written records of Frensham
date back to AD 965, but archaeological
evidence goes back another 6,000 years.
The two ponds were created around the 11th
Century as fish ponds, by the Bishop of Winchester.
Welcome to Frensham Common
In more recent times, Frensham was used for military
training with Kitchener’s Army based here during WW1
and Canadian troops during WW2.
Nowadays Frensham is internationally important for the
variety of rare and endangered wildlife that thrive on the
heath. Frensham is a Site of Special Scientific Interest,
a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of
Conservation. The rare plants and animals are
adapted to the hot, dry and nutrient poor conditions.
Careful management ensures that the heath
does not get overrun by tree saplings,
bracken or invasive garden plants.
An internationally important heath
Enjoy Frensham Common responsibly
• No barbeques or open fires. In 2010 a major heath fire burnt for
10 days, destroying 60 hectares (148 acres). Please help protect
this valuable wildlife area by guarding against all risks of fire.
• Camping is not permitted anywhere on the common.
• The Great Pond car park is locked at 9pm.
• Swimming is at your own risk and is only permitted within
the buoyed areas of the Great Pond. There is no swimming
allowed in the Little Pond.
• Inflatable boats, canoes or any other water crafts are not permitted.
• Sailing is restricted to members of the sailing club.
• Fishing is for members of the Farnham Angling Society only,
(no day tickets).
• Please take all your litter home.
• Metal detecting is not permitted on the common.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead between 1 March and 31 July,
to protect ground-nesting birds, and dogs are not permitted
on the sandy areas adjacent to the bathing areas.
• Please respect the wildlife and other users of the common
by obeying signs, keeping to the path and driving along
the byway in a manner and speed that is appropriate.
Frensham Common is owned by the National Trust and jointly managed by
Waverley Borough Council. For further information, or in a case of emergency,
please contact Waverley Countryside Rangers on 01252 792416 (office hours)
or 02392 242161 (for out of hours emergencies only please),
or the National Trust on 01428 683207.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
www.waverley.gov.uk/countryside
Exploring
Frensham Common
HOTEL
Frensham Common and The Flashes
covers 1.5 square miles of open heathland.
There are also 8 miles of bridleways open
to horse riders and cyclists and 7 miles
of footpaths for walkers.
ane
ry L
Prio
Did you know?
Frensham Common supports
a wealth of wildlife, including
the Sand Lizard, Woodlark,
Dartford Warbler and Nightjar.
MEMORIAL
m
nha
La
FRENSHAM
LITTLE POND
Far
con
Ba
ne
Circular pond walk
1.6km (1m)
RUSHMOOR
F R E N S H A M
San
dy
Tumuli
e
Circular pond walk
2.4km (1.5m)
head
Hind
FRENSHAM
GREAT POND
Lan
Tilford
A287
VISITOR CENTRE
Road
C O M M O N
T H E
FRENSHAM
POND HOTEL
F L A S H E S
Pond La
ne
FRENSHAM COMMON BOUNDARY
swater
Cros
PUBLIC FOOTPATH
(Pedestrians only. No cycles or horses)
PUBLIC BRIDLEWAY
(Horses, cycles and pedestrians)
BYWAY
(Open to any road legal vehicle,
horses, cycles and pedestrians)
CIRCULAR POND WALKS
For other circular walks from Frensham
Common, visit www.surreyhillsonab.org
Did you know?
The heathland habitat at
Frensham Common is rarer
than a tropical rainforest!
e
L an
PERMISSIVE BRIDLEWAY
(Horses, cycles and pedestrians)
PRIDE OF THE
VALLEY HOTEL
© Crown Copyright and database right 2011. Ordnance Survey LA100025451